The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-01
CLEVELAND'S SYMPATHY.
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER OF CON-
DoLENCE TO MRS. II. T. Elicit
Unfounded Censure Cast Upon the Dis
tinguished Party and Those In Au.
thority for Continuing the Reception
How and Why 1t Was Done.

There has been some disposition on the
part Of those who knew nothing Of facts TO
ccnsurc President Cleveland for taking no
notice Of or interest in the death Of Judge
Henry T. Elicit Under the circumstances
and without reasoning second thought, this
censurc was only natural aud proper. The
manner Of his death coupled with the pc
culinr surroundings, rendered II almost inn
poatiyc that the President, 10 maintain his
position in the respect and esteem Of the
community should take moro than passing
notice. II will be further remembered that
almost Immediately following the abrupt
termination ot the Court square reception,
the presidential party adjourned To the
Merchants exchange, where the passing In
review, ~ " were, was continued. The
distinguished visitors were, to nll APP
pcaranccs, utterly unmindiul OF the
sad fatality which had 40 re-
Gently occurred, and this state Of
apparent uncunCcrn continued until they
pulled out from the city on their special
train over the Louisville rund, bound for
Nashville All this provoked uniavomblc
criticism, "a the effect that Il manifested "a
wanton disregard for the prophecies nat
urally 10 be- expected The committees hay-
ing the reception IN charge came IN fora full
sharr ui this criticism for permitting the
ceremonies to continue.
A. stated in the Atrial the morning sue
cccding the calamity, President Cleveland
and hi. party knew nothing Of the fatality
until the train passed Bartlett. They were,
az course familiar with the fact that Judge
Elicit had been stricken, but considered u
only fainting spell, from which he would
be- revived and restored. There was no OPP
pOrtunity Tor inquiry aud the gentlemen
having linn ia charge carefully RETAINED
from imparting the intelligence while
he was enjoying the Inequalities.
IL could have worked no conceivable
good was no lack oi respect and esteem for
or reflection upon the honorcd dead the dis.
play had but a short time 10 continue aud
In view of these facts they chose the method
Of informing him upon the subject 10y tclo-
graph at the first opportunity This was
done, and, ~ previously stated, President
Cleveland was first made aware IT the fact
after his train left Bartlett. The gentlemen
who decided upon this method did ~ frUm a
we'll founded dread II ~ effect upon the
oitys guests. whom they nt least desired 10
leave the city with nought but pleasant |
rccollcctious. What must inevitably follow, /
they could not, of course, control. They |
knew the President aud his wife 10 be people |
Of generous and sympathctic impulses, Who |
would undoubtedly decline To, receive any |
further attentions from tho people and thus |
n large number Who had come a. the city for
That snic putpu,r would have been disnp.
pointed. II was % wise pUCauiiun, Tor WEIGH
the grraicst sicklrr Tor strict prophecies
should find M blame
Hut the President did not fpu'rt his duty. |
or violate the noble triitsu character known |
to bc possessed hy him. As soon a. possible |
after reaching Washington, be- addressed o |
letter NJ coincidence Ia the bcr,aNcd widow |
of judge Ellctt, Of which the following h. a |
copy:
Evrcruyr M,ysioy. :
NAsuiNetuN, Oct ~, lss5. !
Ny Dear Mn Tnott
cannot pFi.i the impulse In csprrss ms deep
and siurrtV tAWpuihN with yuu iu the terrible III
hiriiun YOU have sustained w the sudden dHath NJ
your lu,cd and huuurvd husband.
know Unu write uuthing Witch will comfort
q time can only come trnm the heavenly toufgc
which permitted the rrrNuUs blow
Ny immediate Wlutiuu 90 your dUutnfrd husband
ht the moment If his fatal stroke suums a. connect
me ~ ucnfl, With his death that the sad scene "
indelihly uNrl upon my mind
The death ~ sl guud and usviul man II nu ~
nlciiun ~ The tutIW community iu which De-
dwell, aud ID them IL any suuH1 lu the Know lftlfr
that many shan your rriCi. ur u them is uuuaUn.
Ton IN TIE Mri tlIt thu lHti Wurls cd the nmyutul
dead. spoken iD the prs,urr 1T his noirhiun and
BELOW cllifHus VEN fan Of mobile patriotism aud
love for OH hs riuntpmrn. this sola,r aud ihis
consolation yuu have ln full mcnluur. IN this
hour ~ your lruuNtiurut NAV Col give yuu biz
support and tI, IsIUH It mind which Ilvtth nil
UNDERSTANDING Mn cleveland d,sir. me al,p ~
convoy to luu h,r heartfelt sympathy aud oun.
oolrncc Nuuu tiuu,ulN
"a q